The Bainbridge Fire Department (BFD) has received a grant from the Rotary Club of Bainbridge. Volunteer firefighter Tom Akshar accepted the $2,830 donation on behalf of the department. The grant funded the purchase of new, high-quality structural firefighter gloves for the department, made possible by a matching grant from the Central New York Rotary Foundation.
The Glens Falls Rotary Club is proud to introduce the Harrison Freer Rotary Community 5K Run/Walk, a brand-new event dedicated to supporting local charities and promoting wellness.
Franklin Rotary invites community members to join us for a special presentation by Tyson Robb, Coordinator of the Delaware County Department of Public Works' Solid Waste Management Center (SWMC) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 6:30pm at the Open Doors United Methodist Church, corner of Main and Water Streets, Franklin, NY.
The Nimmonsburg-Hillcrest Rotary Club is marking 75 years of unwavering service, celebrating decades of impact in Chenango, Dickinson, and beyond. Since its founding, the club has championed education, health, and community outreach—mentoring students, supporting local businesses, and funding scholarships.
The Fifth Annual Rubber Duck Race, sponsored by Trumansburg Rotary, will once again take place in downtown Tburg - this year on Saturday, May 10 - at which time 1,500 numbered duckies will enter Frontenac Creek near the Farmer’s Market at 1p.m. and swim a quarter mile to the finish line at the Route 96 bridge (near Gimme Coffee).
With pens at the ready and hearts filled with good will, Oneonta Rotarians gathered at the February 6 weekly meeting to carry out the 5th Annual Valentine Card Outreach Project.
Rotary International has partnered with the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) to promote the concept of Positive Peace. This partnership, established in 2017, seeks to build resilient societies through a structured and holistic approach. We are excited to share that the CNY region has taken a significant step by establishing a dedicated Peace subcommittee. As part of this initiative, we are proud to introduce the Rotary Positive Peace Academy.
Rotary clubs across the district are joining forces to bring life-saving heart surgeries to children in need. The initiative, known as the Gift of Life program, is a rallying cry for compassion and action—a call that resonated with every club when they received an email at the end of December 2024.
It’s that time of year to start thinking about pulling those clubs out of the basement and getting into shape again to start a new year of golf. What better way to stretch all of those muscles and get into shape for your first round at your favorite golf course than to join your friends for a round of virtual golf at The New Hartford Rotary 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on April 9, 2025 at The Bunker at The Orchard, 8653 Clinton St., New Hartford, NY.
As we celebrate Black History Month it seems appropriate, especially in Rotary, to talk about the often-unacknowledged black volunteers that have made significant contributions throughout history in various fields and movements.
The Rotary Club of Ithaca made a special award presentation at its February 5 lunch meeting. Rotary President Angela Sullivan and Stacy Hall honored Rotarian Michael F. Brown with the prestigious Cliff Dochterman Award. The award recognizes Rotarians who have made distinguished and dedicated contributions to scouting through leadership, service, or mentorship.
The Rotary International Peace Fellowship is a unique and impactful program aimed at fostering global peace. Rotary’s unwavering commitment to peace, combined with the generosity of its members worldwide, makes the Rotary Peace Centers program both distinctive and successful. Through this initiative, individuals gain academic training, hands-on practice, and invaluable global networking opportunities, all designed to develop peace and development professionals who can become effective catalysts for peace.
Five years ago, our district's Global Grants Committee embarked on its first opioid awareness global grant and, in search of an international partner, reached out to over 100 Rotary clubs.
Vestal Rotary's St. Patrick's Day Raffle Fundraiser, an exciting event taking place on March 15 from 6-8 p.m., supports many of the club's vital community programs. For just $125, you not only get a ticket to an unforgettable evening, but also two guests to bring along for the fun.
The CNY Rotary Global Grants Committee voted recently to support the Breath to Life project in Alanya, Antalya province, Turkey. Grant funds will be used to purchase three neonatal ventilators for use at Alanya State Hospital’s Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, serving infants who cannot provide adequate oxygenation on their own or who have multiple organ failure and are at high risk of mortality, requiring respiratory support.
Fulton Sunrise Rotarians Mary Farfaglia and Ellen Pierce shared the knowledge they’ve gained as registered nurses (RNs) to help their fellow Rotarians learn more about the safety of and protection given by vaccines.
In response to the devastating wildfires near Los Angeles, Rotary and our partners are mobilizing to provide critical support to those affected. The fires have caused immense destruction, displacing tens of thousands of residents and leaving many in urgent need of assistance. The crisis is still ongoing. Here are two Rotary-connected pathways to support those in need, as well as some helpful advice in choosing where to donate and avoiding scams.
At a recent meeting of CNY Rotary’s Global Grant Committee, it was agreed that they would join The Rotary Club of Thavaravadi and the Innovation Hong Kong club in purchasing medical equipment for Orthopedic Surgery for the hospital in Kumpanangsaen, Nakhonpathom, Thailand.
The Hamilton Rotary Club has been a driving force in enhancing both local and global communities. Two recent initiatives, the Night of Lights and the End Polio Now campaign, highlight the club’s dedication to service.
Getting more media attention can help your club grow and raise awareness. With many media outlets lacking the resources to cover as much ground as they had in the past, it’s more important than ever to take a proactive approach. Here are five easy tips to boost your club’s visibility:
As we begin 2025, we begin with hope and passion for a polio free world. While 2024 may have seemed a set-back ending with 92 cases and a number of vaccine delivery challenges, it served as a great reminder that we must be aggressive in our eradication efforts.
It was a packed house at the Rotary Club of Utica’s “Not So Silent Night” Gift Auction, held last month at the Fort Schuyler Club. In true Rotary fashion, the holiday spirit was anything but silent – not to mention the Rotarians sporting themed-holiday sweaters that were almost as loud as the auctioneers.
On December 20, the Cortland Breakfast Rotary helped Loaves and Fishes with their Holiday Food Baskets. Participating were Mark Roberts, Conrad Janke, Kathie O’Mara, Zack Zimmerman, Mike May, Tammy Zimmerman, Nicole VanDee, Emma Dermott, and Dianne Higgins.
Cortland Breakfast Rotary Helps With Holiday Baskets
The CNY Rotary Learning Committee is excited to share the following opportunities to help Rotarians enhance their leadership skills and prepare for future roles.
Fulton Sunrise Rotarians recently put colorful decorations on bags that they then filled with food. Those bags, called Blizzard Bags, will be distributed by Oswego County Opportunities staff to homebound seniors in its home-delivered food program.
The following report is from Gift of Life International CEO, Rob Raylman:
Our 11th training visit to La Paz, Bolivia was full of excitement and the culmination of monumental milestones, moving this program closer to sustainability and Legacy status. Six precious Bolivian children were operated at Hospital del Niño and 18 more children had their hearts healed through interventional catheterization procedures at Clinica Obrajes.
The CNY Rotary Nominating Committee have completed their important duties and the Executive Committee is pleased to announce the newest member of their team, Samantha Netzband.
The Rotary Global Grant Adopt a Fruit Tree/Tully Rotary Ecological Environmental Sustainability (TREES) project, led by the Rotary Club of Tully, is working to plant 8,257 avocado trees in Bungoma County, Kenya.
The Rotary Club of The Kuyahoora Valley recently purchased 96 dictionaries to distribute to the 3rd grade students in Poland Central School and West Canada Valley School.
The holiday season has arrived, and there’s no better way to brighten up your home than with a beautiful, handcrafted wreath—just in time for festive gatherings! The Schenectady Rotary Club is thrilled to announce its Annual Wreath Sale, offering stunning wreaths made with care by the talented team at Liberty ARC Horticulture Center at Maple Ridge. These gorgeous creations are available for just $30, and your purchase will support some incredible causes.
During harvest season, people around the world give thanks for the bounty by bringing together friends and family. In line with the Rotary test of “Will it build goodwill and better friendships,” the holiday is giving thanks and is all about goodwill and friendship.
Need a Christmas Tree this holiday season? Ballston Spa Rotary currently have several for sale. Proceeds will support a number of the club's community initiatives. See the flyer below for more details!
At the Rotary Club of Cooperstown's November 19 meeting, a ceremonial check for $4,000 was presented to support a pioneering partnership between Bassett Healthcare Network’s Cancer Institute and the Cooperstown Food Pantry. This innovative collaboration provides free, nutritious food to cancer patients in need across the region, alleviating financial burdens during their treatment.
The Cortland Breakfast Rotary presented a $3,000 check to Ty Marshall of the Center for the Arts and helped clean the exterior of the building in appreciation of the Center.
On Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 a.m., Moravia Rotary will host its 5th annual holiday fun run, kicking off in conjunction with the Moravia-Locke Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd annual Christmas in Moravia event.
The big guy in the red suit is coming back to town and bringing the Mrs. with him! The annual Twin Bridges Rotary “Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus” is set this year for 8:30-11 a.m., Saturday, December 7 at the Clifton Park Elks Club, 695 MacElroy Road.
More than 60 CNY Rotarians and friends of Rotary gathered at the DoubleTree Binghamton on November 17 to celebrate an achievement many thought not possible.
Alcohol has been used in celebrations for centuries, it is an ancestral beverage, and it has been both divinized and demonized. Some refer to it as a social lubricant as it allows people to let go of a little bit of their inhibitions and celebrate. It can make people feel more relaxed, lighten the mood and even make an anxious social situation more tolerable by the sense of feeling free from self-consciousness.
The Camillus Solvay Geddes Rotary is deeply committed to addressing food scarcity in their local communities. For years, they have focused on bringing resources to those in need, whether through food drives, fundraisers, or community partnerships. Each year, their “Walk Against Hunger” event brings neighbors and friends together, not only to raise funds but to show support and solidarity with those facing food insecurity. Thanks to the generosity of the community, this year’s Walk Against Hunger in September was a success, with all proceeds going to organizations that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
CNY Rotary’s Public Image Committee is excited to announce that they’re offering grants of up to $250 in matching funds for evergreen projects. These funds can help purchase materials and tools that promote your club’s visibility for years to come.
Twenty-nine volunteers broke up into groups to plant another 40 trees across the city on Saturday, as part of the Urban Tree Planting project, a cooperative program with The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rotary Club of Utica, and the City of Utica Parks Department.
On Monday, December 2 at noon, DeWitt Rotary will be holding a luncheon at The Collegian Hotel, featuring Joe Nehme, Senior Manager External Affairs at Micron Technology, Inc., as guest speaker!
The Rotary Club of Utica recently celebrated the outstanding contributions of six exceptional individuals at their Pride of Workmanship Awards luncheon, held at the Five Points Public House and Events Center.
Concerned about the number of children in our area seen riding their bicycles without helmets recently, members of the Edmeston Rotary Club decided to take action to address the issue.
Sunday, November 17, 2024, CNY Rotary will hold our first ever Legacy Brunch. Our goal is to raise one million dollars for the Rotary Foundation’s Endowment Fund. Some of you might remember it as the Permanent Fund, if you have been in Rotary as long as I have. The CNY Foundation Committee needs to find 100 people who will pledge or bequest $10,000, meaning that you will leave that money to Rotary in your will or estate.
Please accept our sympathies for the news of the passing of a Past District Governor who served the former District 7170, now CNY Rotary. Dick Church joined Rotary in 1980 in Hornell, later transferring to the Nimmonsburg-Hillcrest Rotary Club where he served our region as a District Governor in 1999-2000.
Owego Rotary Club members are hosting their annual holiday craft fair on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at Owego Elks Lodge, 223 Front St., Owego, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Niskayuna Rotary Club is excited to announce its latest fundraising initiative, the Gift Card Bonanza raffle, aimed at supporting educational programs for local students.
Come join Oneonta Rotary for their third Road Rally Scavenger Hunt! This is a great way to bring together your team of friends and family of all ages. Jump in the car, and let the merriment begin all while supporting local community organizations and the Oneonta Rotary Club!
On a beautiful fall morning three Rotarians, with two Youth Exchange student in tow, showed up at Morris Ave in Ithaca to spend the morning sanding, mudding, and priming sheetrock.
Join the Galway and Twin Bridges Rotary Clubs on November 7th for the second Annual collaboration tasting with Galway Rock Winery and High Peaks Distilling to benefit the Rotary.
For the second straight year, Schenectady Rotary Club is seeking donations of gently used or newly purchased Halloween costumes to distribute to students at William C. Keane Elementary School and their family members. Donated costumes will be offered for FREE on a first-come, first-served basis at the Schenectady Rotary Club tent during Keane’s ‘Trunk or Treat’ event, taking place Saturday, October 26 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 1252 Albany Street in Schenectady.
On Saturday, September 28, Jeremy Boylan, accompanied by son Christopher and daughter Kaitlyn, led the charge to clean the banks of the Tioughnioga River. Cortland Breakfast Club Rotarians who helped were: Glenn Reisweber, Matt Banazek, Pat and Jennifer Clune, Mike Shafer, Conrad Janke, Terry Cahill, Todd and Jenna Curtis, and Jackie Burke.
Join the Auburn Rotary Club for a Chicken BBQ Dinner on Thursday, October 3 from 5-7 p.m. at the Sennett Fire Department (3526 Franklin Street Road, Auburn, NY).
The VVS Community Rotary Club is hosting the second annual Pins for Polio event on Saturday 10/5 from 12pm - 3pm at the Sherrill Community Activity Center (CAC).
The noontime Oswego Rotary Club is holding its annual winter garment collection through October. The garments are kept in Oswego at the Salvation Army Center for Worship and Service, 73 West Second Street, and given free of charge to people who go there in need of winter apparel.
The Rotary Club of Rome, NY is holding their annual BBQ fundraiser on October 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until sold out), with proceeds supporting RI's efforts to eradicate polio.
The Ithaca Rotary Club is pleased to announce its 2024 Community Grants awardees. Twenty-four applications were received, and nine grant proposals were funded in full for a total of $11,724.
To honor and thank veterans, soldiers, police, firefighters, first responders, people who volunteer, family, and friends, Onondaga North Rotary Club members organize and erect a field of over 800 flags.
In 2023, Words Into Deeds received a $5,000 Rotary District 7170 grant providing the Abukloi Secondary School in Rumbek, South Sudan with sewing machines.
With matching funds from WID and Abukloi Foundation donors, both boys and girls trained in the tailoring of reusable feminine hygiene kits.
Within our District, a small village, Middleburgh, located on the fringe of the northern Catskills in Schoharie County has established an outdoor, year-round art park.
The Greater Utica Sunrise Rotary Club is having a Pancake Breakfast to benefit their Food Insecurity Program on Sunday October 13th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Grace Church.
Norwich Rotarians sold breakfast to patrons of the 31st Annual Preferred Mutual Chenango Blues Festival held on August 16-17 at the fairgrounds in Norwich.
Franklin Rotary invites community members near and far to join us on September 18, 2024, at 6:45 pm, at Franklin Central School, 26 Institute Street, for an overview presentation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Two local experts will present an update of the CLCPA including its current status and future potential which are critically important.
With Pride Month in the rearview mirror now, though not that far in the distance, a newspaper article and a museum’s special event made me think deeper about Pride Month, and its meanings and impact. I should probably say that I am a 65-year-old, straight, white guy. I think a lot about inclusion and being open minded. I try and ‘walk the walk,’ but like many others I probably fall short at times.
Rotary Club of Ithaca member Gertrude Noden brings over two decades as classroom teacher and outreach program developer, wherein she nurtures primarily through college level students and educators to become world citizens through her innovative Human Rights Curriculum.
Welcome back Blazing Trails readers! 🐎🧡 I am excited to announce a resource for our newest members of CNY that our Learning Chair Deb put together with the team at the Rotary International Learning Center just for us. I love anything that feels VIP, and this is definitely a VIP learning opportunity!
The Rotary Club of Ithaca invites applications from Tompkins County area organizations and Rotary Clubs in CNY District 7180 for peacebuilding projects outside the United States that make a small but amazing differenceto create and sustain peaceful societies.
Fellow Rotarians, my name is Sam Netzband and I am your District Conference Chair. I am reaching out to you via the news network with an ask for your assistance with securing sponsors for our 2025 Conference which is happening April 4 – 6 at the Hilton Downtown Albany.
As many Rotarians know, District Grants and Global Grants are funded through a process known as District Designated Funds (DDF). This funding comes from the contributions to the Annual Fund that our members made three years ago, when we were Districts 7150, 7170 and 7190.
In a world filled with countless organizations and causes, it can be challenging for Rotary clubs to distinguish themselves and make a lasting impact. However, with a strategic approach and a commitment to innovation, Rotary clubs can elevate their presence and amplify their influence.
Soon after teacher and long time soccer coach at Trumansburg Central School District (TCSD), Chris Bond died in 2007, Trumansburg Rotary funded and organized a community effort to construct shelters on the soccer playing field to honor the man.
The Burnt Hills Ballston Lake (BHBL) Rotary Club in partnership with the Kusinta Lusaka Rotary, Zambia, recently completed a Global Grant in a southern province of Zambia aimed at saving the lives of mothers and children. Additionally, through grant funds, the clubs were able to restore and enhance a medical center’s water supply and provide fencing around the facility.
Aunt Mary’s House and Norwich Rotary Club are pleased to announce the successful completion of a project to help equip Aunt Mary’s House in preparation for its opening later this year. The project was financed by a Rotary Community grant for almost $2,200 plus contributions of $250 each from New York State Women’s Inc and Norwich Rotary Club.
Aidan O'Leary, Director for Polio Eradication at WHO, passed away suddenly and tragically on Tuesday, August 6, while on a holiday trip with his family. This is a sad day for many people around the Rotary World.
August is Membership Month in Rotary, and here at CNY Rotary we are encouraging all clubs to take an active look at their membership efforts for the coming year.
The Syracuse Inner City Rotary Club is working on multiple efforts to improve the lives of families and children with a main focus on literacy, development, and the well being of others. Through the club’s donations, community engagement, and service projects, the club promotes peace, wellness, and education in their community.
Syracuse and Auburn Rotarians welcomed CNY Rotary President Lizzy Martin (front row/center) to a journey into history. The occasion was a visit organized by the Rotary Book Club to the Harriet Tubman Museum in Auburn. It was the culminating activity of the club’s reading of “Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People.” The book was co-authored by Syracuse Rotarian Michele Jones Galvin, a direct descendant of Harriet Tubman’s sister.
An evening of celebration was held on Friday, June 14 at Canasawacta Country Club to mark the centenary of Norwich Rotary Club. The event featured speeches, presentations, a formal dinner and music.
We recently completed a trio of visits to baseball games in cities across CNY - Syracuse, Binghamton and Troy. Each game was an opportunity to meet members from the area, promote CNY Rotary in front of the community, and raise money for our Youth Exchange Program with a portion of all ticket sale proceeds.
Two significant events were celebrated at a recent meeting of the Oswego Rotary Club held at Bishop’s Commons. One was the bidding of farewell and Godspeed to the latest outgoing Rotary exchange student in over a decade. The other was the recognition of one of Oswego’s outstanding Rotary members with the Paul Harris Fellow citation.
Allyship is an active and consistent effort to use your privilege and power to support and advocate for people with less privilege. Allyship is about being conscious and intentional, and that means learning to truly listen to others. Though another’s experience may be different from your own, listening is a pathway to greater empathy.
At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe.
The Rotary Club of Trumansburg NY's 4th Annual Rubber Duck Race was a great success, with proceeds benefitting the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts (TCFA).
There are no ruff days on the golf course with Rotarians! That was proven once again by the Cortland Breakfast Rotary Club, who held their 34th Annual McGruff Golf Tournament on June 20.
Test story to use in work on building out a bulletin template. Test story to use in work on building out a bulletin template.Test story to use in work on building out a bulletin template.
Polio survivor Louise Rourke, who swam the length of Lake George to raise funds to eradicate Polio, shares her inspirational story in a new book, Called by the Water. Learn how her life-long experiences shaped her desire to pursue challenges others may have considered impossible. Your donation supports the Rotary Foundation Campaign to Eradicate Polio.
The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce's 2020 Southern Tier YP Summit is still happening, in a brand-new innovative format! They’ve re-designed the conference to take place as a completely virtual experience while also offering it as a small, 50 person conference at the Double Tree Binghamton. This day is the biggest opportunity in the Southern Tier for young professionals from all backgrounds to come together for meaningful conversations, leadership development, and personal growth. The full-day gives YP’s countless options to engage with each other, including:
Nationally-known Keynotes and Featured Speakers
Virtual breakout rooms
Roundtable discussions with community leaders
Live-streamed webinars
Live-streamed Trivia with Prizes
And so much more!
The line-up of high-quality speakers and topics are timely for the young professional ranging from diversity and inclusion, mental health, and building habits for success, so that attendees can come out stronger and re-energized in their career and personal growth.
Don't miss this opportunity on October 15 by registering for a virtual or in-person ticket. Learn more.
On May 18,19, and 20, Rotarians representing 31 of the 44 clubs in our Rotary District came to SUNY Oneonta to have fun and be inspired. From a pre-conference FUN Bus tour of Otsego County to a service project to youth exchange talent and much, much, more, we got together to recharge our batteries.
If you planted tree peonies last April after Gov. Richard's fundraiser, they are most likely blooming right now. Richard, along with the Rotary Club of Johnson City, celebrated the beauty of these plants at the first annual Tree Peony Festival. The festival featured artists, musicians, and, of course, tree peonies. Enjoy some photos from the event.
It's my last Governor's Greeting, and the final month of the Rotary year. What an honor it has been serving as your District Governor! I've said it before, the very best thing about this year has been the time I've spent visiting clubs. From this perspective, I could see the amazing things each and every club does for their community and the world. Our local area is much better off because of you!
We have a lot of club activities coming up this summer, and many of them are highlighted in this newsletter. I've also done some recaps of the District Conference - the awards, the service, and the FUN! If you didn't make it, this will give you a taste of what you missed.
Finally, the District Pass the Gavel is on Tuesday, Jun 19th from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Stella Luna Ristorante in Oneonta. More details are available here. Please join me in cheering on Jeff Smith as he begins his year as District Governor.
I've been busy getting ready for the District Conference and End Polio Now 5k later in May. Clubs have also been having Open Houses to attract new members, and it's working! Get some Open House best practices at http://rotarydistrict7170.org/Stories/open-house-best-practices
(if you can't see the video play it at https://youtu.be/dJZCc2sNpTw)
Rotarians of the month are “Power Couple” Dennis Gray and Maricelis Acevedo of the Ithaca Noon Rotary Club for their passion and action in international development. Dennis is a native of Ontario Canada where he was a long-time Rotarian and a member of the Water and Sanitation Action Group. Maricelis is a native of Puerto Rico and has a background in plant pathology. She took a position at Cornell University in 2016 and the couple relocated to Spencer New York. They immediately joined the Ithaca Noon Rotary Club and are making great strides in International Development through their vocations and through Rotary.
RYLA is designed to grow leadership skills in students who have untapped leadership potential. Specifically, we are focusing on juniors in high school. Our program is not for the student who is already utilizing strong leadership skills or students who have no desire to develop such skills.
District 7190 RYLA has been developed to help the committed student with untapped leadership potential. Through our program we will open up that potential and show the student the possibilities that are available to them. This has positive effects on many parts of the student’s life. They will gain self-confidence, add valuable skills that will serve them well into their future, and will teach another generation about the ideals of Rotary.
Rotarians from the eastern part of District 7170 got together to connect and discuss Rotary in their area. It was arranged by the Rotary Club of Milford and at least eight clubs were represented.
The keynote address was given by Dr. Ashok Malhotra and Linda Drake of the Ninash Foundation. Ashok is a well-known (and recently retired) professor from SUNY Oneonta who has dedicated his life to helping educate poor children in India. Through his foundation, he has established schools in three communities in India. The hope is that local Rotary clubs, and clubs we have connected with in India may be able to come together with the Ninash Foundation in an education project.
This light-hearted evening also featured a fan favorite - Rotary Jeopardy with Tom Rathbone.
This means that our District Training Assemblies and Grants Management Seminars are right around the corner. This is your chance to learn tips and techniques that will help your Rotary Club and make your life easier. Plus, if you are going to apply for a District Grant (and I hope you are planning to) then a member of your club must attend the Grants Management Seminar. We have three options to choose from (click on the links below to get more info and to register.)
My video greeting is short this month, because I've included a longer video that we took at president-elect training in Syracuse. A group of 'people of action' helped renovate the Salvation Army shelter in Syracuse. A special thanks goes out to Jason Browne from the State College Downtown Rotary Club for producing the video!
Brittany Hall, a member of the Rotary Club of Binghamton, NY is this month's Rotarian of the Month. Brittany is Executive Director of the Binghamton Philharmonic (BPO), Broome County's only professional symphony orchestra. She was recently honored as an emerging leader by the League of American Orchestras. Read more about that honor here.
Jesse Katen, President of the Rotary Club of Binghamton, says of Brittany, "Brittany is an inspiring and dynamic young leader who brought fresh energy and a unique perspective to our club. She’s a delight to be around and all of our members have a great time sitting with her at lunch. Her talents were recognized right away and she was elected onto our board, where she has served for several years. Her invaluable knowledge about nonprofit administration, institutional budgets, and fundraising has been vital to our club’s development and success."
Interested in achieving the Rotary (Presidential) Citation?
Here are some resources for you:
District People of Action Awards - these awards will be given to individual Rotarians, and Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary Community Corps members. Find out more by clicking here.
2017 is winding down and we have a lot to be thankful for. I'm thankful for family, friends, and my family of Rotary. We do so much for our world, it's hard (if not impossible) to list everything.
Ithaca Rotarians enjoy participating in the Books For The World Project. Rotarian Ed Kokkelenberg recently sent more information on procedures, underscoring the complexity of the project and emphasizing the need for many participants at the club level. These procedures are attached as a Word Document.
I'm very pleased to announce that Matt Adler from the Rotary Club of Owego will serve as our District Governor in 2020-2021. Congratulations Matt! Matt is well-known throughout the District because of his role as Membership Chair. In case you haven't met Matt, here is a quick bio.
Matthew Adler is honored to have been chosen to represent District 7170 as District Governor for the year 2020-2021.
Matt has been a Rotarian since 1984. He is a member of the Owego Rotary Club and is a two time past President, past Assistant Governor and current District Membership Chair and RLI Site Chair. He has also served numerous District Governors on their District Conference committees. He has been a facilitator at multi District-PETS and District Assemblies. In 2014/2015 he was honored to have been named District 7170 Rotarian of the Year.
The Rotary Foundation and Rotary clubs are helping communities battered by severe weather and earthquakes.
How to contribute
Three Rotary Foundation donor advised funds have been set up to accept donations for hurricane and earthquake victims.
Mexico earthquakes
Account name: Mexico Earthquake Recovery Fund Account number: 613
Hurricane Harvey
Account name: Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund Account number: 608
Hurricanes Irma and Maria Account name: Hurricane Emergency Relief Fund Account number: 296
You can contribute by check or wire transfer or online with a credit card. You'll need to provide the DAF account name and number listed above. When contributing via credit card, please check the address box to share your address with Rotary.
The Rotary Foundation and Rotary clubs are helping communities battered by severe weather and earthquakes.
“The power of Rotary is in the Foundation's ability to pull help from around the world while local clubs provide immediate relief in their own communities,” says Don Mebus of the Rotary Club of Arlington, Texas.
Two powerful earthquakes hit Mexico, destroying buildings and highways, and killing hundreds of people. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria have caused billions of dollars in damage.
Torrential rain and mudslides have caused extensive damage in Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
Rotary's partner, ShelterBox, is providing support to families displaced by the storms.
If you have questions about how you can help, contact relief@rotary.org. To see how clubs are helping, go to Rotary Ideas.
Let me offer you a simile - Rotary International is like a car. Our 1.2 million members are the myriad parts, and our Five Avenues of Service are the major systems. When all of us are actively involved and our clubs are providing service in all five areas, the Rotary car runs incredibly smoothly and covers an amazing amount of ground. It is highly efficient and highly effective. But what if the car is missing a wheel or a tire is flat?
Jerry has been a friend of Orv Wright and Gary Williams for many years. He’s heard a lot of stories about the Owego Rotary Club and projects that have been done by ORC.
Many Rotarians want to help people affected by Hurricane Harvey and the catastrophic flooding in Texas. Events there are still unfolding, and I have the following information to share so far. I will continue the updates as they are received.
Are you interested in planting trees this Rotary year, but don’t know where to begin? Here are some tips adapted from ‘tree planting expert’ Bob Aagre of the Nimmonsburg Rotary Club. That club has planted over 250 trees already!Are you interested in planting trees this Rotary year, but don’t know where to begin? Here are some tips adapted from ‘tree planting expert’ Bob Aagre of the Nimmonsburg Rotary Club. That club has planted over 250 trees already!
Countdown to the RI Convention in Hamburg, Germany - June 1 - 5, 2019
We are just months away from a very exciting opportunity for Rotarians and friends from District 7190 to attend the RI Convention International Convention in the great city of Hamburg, Germany!
The District is encouraging all Rotarians to make the effort to attend this RI International Convention. Many Rotarians believe that you cannot truly understand the impact of Rotary without attending one of these meetings. Don’t miss this opportunity!
In addition to the chance to meet and greet thousands of Rotarians from all over the world, the Toronto convention gives you the opportunity to enjoy what the Economist Intelligence Unit calls the fourth most livable city in the world. (That’s out of ALL the cities in the world.)
Mike Snyder (pictured on the right) is being recognized as Rotarian of the Month for D7170 for his service and participation in club projects, fundraisers, and membership efforts.
July has flown by, and I've been inspired by the clubs I visited this month. Each week, I am posting a People of Action update on our District Facebook Page (facebook.com/RotaryDistrict7170/) highlighting how each club is making a difference in our District and the world. Like or follow our Facebook Page to stay up-to-date on District happenings.
On November 12, 2017, District 7190 Rotarians will host a Peace Summit for Youth in Mechanicville.
For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world and acting as ambassadors for peace. In today’s global climate, our youth are anxious. Anxious about international relations, terrorism, America's position in the world, their personal future, and how they fit in. The Peace Summit for Youth will provide a forum to express their concerns and work collaboratively to consider pathways to peace – peace in their schools, on their streets, and in the world.
In our July newsletter, I mentioned our District's foundation giving goals for 2017-18 - $250,000 for the Annual Fund - SHARE and $50,000 for PolioPlus.
Here's an update on where we stand right now, as well as some more info on Corporate Fundraising - how we can encourage local and national employers to give to the Rotary Foundation.
On July 13th, the Rotary family suffered a huge loss when Rotary International President-elect Sam Owori died. Sam's leadership and influence touched many people around the world during his life, including several of us in District 7170. We send our most sincere condolences to his wife Norah and his family.
When asked, “What is Rotary?” many individuals will say that it is a group of older men that meet for lunch weekly or an organization that brings in exchange students. I have even heard someone say, it is a “roundabout!” So what is it anyway? Rotary is a volunteer, international, non-sectarian, service organization comprised of 1,200,000 members within 200 countries of the world. Its power lies in its ability to bring leaders and technical experts who share a mutual mission to improve health, support education and alleviate poverty. Working as partners it achieves lasting change through the combination of local oversight and the resources of an international organization.
Shortly after it was formed in 2007, the Edmeston Central School Interact Club received a gift of $250.00 from the Otsego County Sheriff's Deputies' Benevolent Association. After researching options for the best use of the funds, our club members settled on the making of micro-finance loans through kiva.org.
When Rollin' With Rotary rolled through our District Conference they challenged us to create our own People of Action videos. At least two clubs rose to this challenge, Binghamton noon and Unadilla.
Did you know that one excellent way to recruit new Rotarians is to hold an Open House or Membership Mixer?
Here are some tips and a link to an invitation letter that you can customize for your club.
DG Zoë and Membership Chair Matt are enthusiastically promoting Open Houses in the District, and would like to help your club hold one. Contact us to get yours scheduled today!
Show your Rotary colors and favorite activities in this Foundation Fundraiser. You get a cool T-shirt promoting Rotary and your favorite activity. Your club gets Foundation Points while supporting the Annual Fund!
The District Conference is our chance to come together and celebrate our success in 2017-18 Register today by clicking here.
Registration options:
Just announced! Rotarians attending their first District Conference can register at the discount price of $110 for the Full Conference. Choose the First Time Attendee package on the registration page. HURRY - only 40 first time packages available! $160 for Full Conference $35 Friday Only $100 Saturday Only $35 Sunday Only
The 2018 District Conference is May 18 - 20 at SUNY Oneonta
Tentative Conference Schedule (will be updated as details are confirmed)
Now that I have it – if a member of your club attended one of the grant management seminars - there are 22 of you –
And the club had a per capita giving of $50 – check that out with our District Foundation Chair – Jean Cadwallader – jeankc@twcny.rr.com or Lana Rouff, our Grants Chair at LanaRouff@gmail.com
The District Grants Committee will be accepting applications for District Community Grants until September 1st. Because we have done an outstanding job in funding raising three years ago, we are able to give a couple more grants than were accepted this spring. So, look into the needs of your community and fill out the application that is found on our district website Rotarydistrict7170.org on the right side! Up to $2500 is available per grant. Send the applications to LanaRouff@gmail.com. The committee would like to see a humanitarian project!!
Questions: -
Call Lana at 797-7727!! Rotary is Service Above Self!!
“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines…”
So begin of what are some of the most memorable lines from Carl Sagan’s book The Pale Blue Dot. I left the Ithaca in 2015 to make my home for the next two years across the Atlantic in London. Ah, and what a journey it has been to inhabit a different part of the hemisphere, a different perspective, a different way of living being exposed to “thousands of religions, ideologies, economic doctrines.” I begin this letter with thanking my Rotary district in upstate New York, the community of people who gave me the opportunity to go on this journey. I especially want to thank Lana Rouff, Nancy Potter, George Gull, and Richard Kiely – you are very special to me and you have inspired me.
A few weeks ago I took my last exam in public economics, and so it happened it was a day full of sunshine, which in the month of May could be considered a rather unexpected event in London. It was nice to finish the program on such a bright note. Often when an experience comes to an end the word most commonly used is “bittersweet,” but I felt more excited, happy and thankful. I do not feel like I am saying goodbye to the university, the community of people, my Rotary family who have made the last two years special, but I feel that this last two years have given me the tools, the spontaneous moments of inspiration, and experience to face what is to come next and to do so together. So what is next?
Currently I am in London working at an organization where I am putting to practice the skills I built in the program for the past two years. Specifically, I am using econometric techniques to evaluate the impact of social programs, such as educational initiatives. It is exciting work to me, because I am able to work with data to perform analysis and contribute to more evidence-based policies.
When I became a Rotary scholar, it was a privilege for me to join such a community and I was determined to share in some form the investment Rotary made in me to pursue my graduate studies. Since moving to the UK in 2015, the UK has transformed substantially – Brexit and the recent elections are a few of the dramatic changes. What I learned during this time is that the political discourse was alienating people due to the use of economic arguments and expert jargon that was not understood by many. What I also learned while studying at the LSE was a new growing movement of people questioning the field of economics, its assumptions, and furthermore, the way it is being taught. This is the issue I plan to address by creating a project aimed to bring economics to the public sphere, and do so in an accessible, spontaneous, exciting and new approach. I plan to use the public spaces of London to organize “pop-up” economic debates, or “guerrilla style” lectures, where the location, the speakers, the topic is secret until the day of the event. The location will serve as the theme to introduce economic concepts and open the floor for lively debates. For example, meeting in Borough Market, the largest and oldest food market in the world, people will be introduced to concepts of supply and demand, the Hotelling model of clustering, among other concepts. Through an immersive experience they will question, debate and engage in discussions. The hope is that people will realize that economics is not a discipline locked away in an ivory tower for experts, but it is everywhere, London is a city built on economics, and economics is about understanding how life works. By doing so, I hope people will feel empowered to engage in the political debates and hold politicians accountable next time arguments are made in the name of “economic growth.”
In a few weeks time the Graduation Ceremony will take place and I will be able to see classmates once again before we all go to the different corners of the world. Before graduation I will have the chance to see my Rotary family here where all the scholars and host clubs will meet for a day together. I also hope to be able to visit my Rotary district back at home in upstate New York sometime soon in the future to share in person about the last two years.
Carl Sagan finishes the quote by stating, “It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.”
I think beyond the economics, econometrics, policy analysis tools that I have learned, far more profound has been the character-building experience that has cemented in me the simple idea that be an aspiring policymaker, an entrepreneur, an employee, a neighbor, a citizen, to deal more kindly with one another…
Just a reminder that applications for 2017-18 District Grants are now being accepted for community and international projects. Up to $2500 can be awarded for projects in your community and up to $5,000 for an international project. The applications are due no later than May 31st and can be found on the district website: Rotarydistrict7170.org – on the right side of the home page.
In order to qualify for a grant your club must have a $50 per capita combined giving to the TRF Annual Fund and Polioplus as of June 30, 2017. This is $15 higher than last year.! And at least one individual from your club must attend one of the upcoming grants management seminars - April 1st in Oneonta and April 8th in Dryden prior to submitting the proposal. Registration for these seminars will be posted at a later date on the website.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted – nor will any application submitted by a club whose previous year’s project report is due. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for further requirements on the application.
The Rotary Club of Ithaca is pleased to announce that Ted Schiele has been named Rotarian of the Year for 2015-16. The award is given every June in honor of an active club member who exemplifies the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
I am writing this update after just finishing the half-way point in my club visits. I am truly enjoying my visits with all of you and hearing about your unique strengths and plans for the future. In this update, I want to focus on the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation.
The 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation is a major milestone for one of the best humanitarian organizations in the world today. This entrepreneurial journey began with a small meeting of fellowship in 1903. Today we are an organization of over 1.2 million in over 200 territories and countries. Our results are measured in lives saved, gallons of clean water, conflict resolution and hope for the future. The Polio Plus story alone is a testament to the power of sustained focus and collaboration that is achievable. The skills we have honed in this journey can be applied to some of the greatest challenges we face here at home and across the world.
I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to serve as District Governor. To have this honor during the 100th anniversary is truly special and I am committed to making our District, bigger, better and bolder.
This July 3 and 4 the Town of Union and sponsors like Endwell Rotary organize the annual Extravaganza at Highland Park. This event is free to the public and could be an opportunity to display critical information on the services you provide or special projects.
For the first time in 5 years, the Rotary International Convention returns to the USA! It will be held in Atlanta, and will feature a celebration of the Rotary Foundation Centennial. If you have never been to a Rotary International Convention, this is a great time to do it. You will have a chance to meet Rotarians from over 130 countries, and make new Rotary friends while renewing old acquaintances. In addition, you will hear about exciting club projects from around the world and share what your club is doing. The general and breakout sessions are world class and the House of Friendship offers amazing chances to learn and share. We hope that 40 to 50 Rotarians and guests will attend from District 7190. Register soon since this will be a truly popular Convention!
Rotary Club Night – Thursday, January 21st Binghamton University Men’s Basketball
Binghamton University athletics has partnered with Rotary Club #64 in designating the Thursday, January 21st men’s basketball game (vs. Vermont) beginning at 7pm as “Rotary Club Night”
Each $20 ticket provides a reserved, chair back seat along with exclusive access to the DEN-hospitality area available pre-game and during half-time.
The District Conference Registration Form is ready!!
Rotary District 7170 is so fortunate to have experts from Cornell University and Cayuga Medical Center to present programs about new and interesting topics. Friday, there will be optional tours and wine tasting available. Saturday will be packed with sessions about your health, the health of your community and your Rotary club. On Sunday, our Memorial Service will be followed by our final plenary session, which includes a fellowship brunch.
Please click on the link below to go online and register for the District Conference to be held April 1-3, 2016 at the Statler Hotel, Cornell Campus, Ithaca, NY.
David was born in 1942 in Washington, DC, but grew up in Los Alamos, NM. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1960. David then attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, graduating with a BA (majoring in history) in 1964.
After a very brief time at Yale Divinity School, David went to work for Shell Chemical Company in New York City as a Distribution Analyst. When Shell moved their headquarters to Houston, TX, in 1969, he left the company and moved to Roscoe, NY to manage a pure-bred polled Hereford operation.
Rotary honors six ‘Global Women of Action’ at the United Nations for their leadership and humanitarian service
Rotary will honor six women – all members of Rotary clubs across the globe – at its “Rotary Day at the United Nations” event on Nov. 7. Rotary’s ‘Global Women of Action’ will be recognized for donating their time, talents and expertise towards helping thousands of people in need throughout the world.
Nimmonsburg Rotary is holding its 65th Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, November 14, 7AM-11AM, at the Chenango Bridge United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 740 River Road, Chenango Bridge. Donation adults $5.00, children under 12, $4.00.
District 7170 5K Run/ Walk Fundraiser to Fight Polio
When: On Sunday, October 18 at 10:00 AM
Where: Binghamton University
What: Rotary District 7170 Polio 5K Run/Walk. This event is a project of Binghamton University’s Rotaract club and will kickoff Polio Awareness week. The Run/Walk will bring together area Rotarians, students in Rotaract and Interact clubs, as well as our district’s exchange students and their host families. This run aims to help build the next generation of Rotarians as well as bring all of our district’s clubs together.
How to register? Complete event details and on-line registration can be found by clicking right here. (Individual Rotarians interested in making donations directly to PolioPlus can also do so on via this webpage.)
District contact: District Governor Doug Larison at drlarison@gmail.com
Polio Walk/ Run at University of Binghamton October 18
The Spending Plan, which lists all grants that the district desires to fund, will be submitted to The Rotary Foundation after July 15.
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We should have approval of the Spending Plan by Sept 1, 2015, and will then provide official notice to the clubs. Note that clubs cannot spend funds related to the grant until after they receive official notice of approval.
The per capita amount donated to the Foundation remains at $30 in order for a club to be qualified for a district grant. It will be based upon the donations to the Annual Fund and Polioplus in the 2014-15 year. Donations to The Rotary Foundation can be made up to June 30, 2015 in order to be counted.
Those clubs that do not meet the per capita giving can no longer partner with another club.
If you register for the District Conference online, you must click pay by check, BUT you will have the ability to pay by credit card via paypal by following the directions on your confirmation e-mail.
The Zaytawun School, in the Bagan area, which is the historical heartland of Myanmar (Burma), has only a few thousand people and the children are very poor. Donations from our District 7170 clubs and individual Rotarians pay for the school supplies, as well as many of the needs of the local clinic, which serves the rural people in an area of several hundred square miles.
I contacted you after the Rotary International Convention in Sydney and hope that your governorship is going well now that you are into the second month. We began our fiscal year for Alliance for Smiles at the same time as Rotary and have a number of missions lined up between now and the end of June. We especially will be having one in March to Bangladesh where we have great relationships with the Rotary Club of Gulshan Lake City and will be planning to write a VTT Global Humanitarian Grant. We will be most likely writing another grant application for a June 2015 mission but that site has not as yet been determined. Last year we were successful in getting two VTT grants -- one for two sites in China and another Tanzania -- and a third Global Grant for Nigeria. We are going to try for grants for China as well but will be meeting with Rotary Clubs in Hong Kong to determine if they want to do it again and act as the host club.
So, my primary concern right now is getting the process going and donations pledged. The VTT Grant that the Kingspark Rotary Club completed for China involved 26 Rotary Clubs in 4 countries. We would love to have more Rotary Clubs and Districts buy into these grants and for the Bangladesh and June grants have two Rotarian volunteers in Georgia ready to write them.
I look forward to hearing from you about the possibility of this type of a collaboration. There will definitely be opportunities for individuals to volunteer both in medical and non-medical slots for these missions.
I’m so honored to have been selected as the 2014-15 District Governor for District 7170. The district is here to support and strengthen the clubs in the district. We are available to provide training and help you in any way we can. I have a passion to serve Rotary. So, let’s work together in our goal of “Service Above Self”. As this year’s Rotary International theme says, let’s “Light Up Rotary” together for 2014-15.
I was so proud to have a good representation from the Endwell Rotary Club at the “Pass the Gavel” ceremony at the District Conference. I had several members of my family attend- Mark’s sister Laurie and her husband Brad Cumming, Brad’s brother Don and his wife Leslie. My daughter, Jennifer, and my beautiful granddaughter, Jaylynn. Last, but not least, my son, Dan, who flew in from Africa to surprise me. My husband, Mark had signed him up for the conference as he is a YE Alumni, but didn’t tell me. I have to say, District 7170 kept the secret very well.
I was proud to be able to present District Governor Tom a nice award for his work in Youth Exchange and his great work as District Governor for 2013-2014. The Youth Exchange program inspired my husband Mark to serve as District Governor in 2006-2007 and now me to serve in 2014-2015. It was so wonderful that our Youth Exchange Alumni son, Dan, was able to be here for this conference.
As we progress toward the Holidays, we should take the time to look at the things we are thankful for. We belong to a world wide organization that specializes in putting service first. As Rotarians we have the unique opportunity to help, not only our local communities, but also to be a force for peace in the world. I recently read an article that stated: How can we expect peace to come when there is hunger, sickness and unsanitary living conditions in a large part of our world. I think that the author of that article got it right. But all is not lost, in Rotary we CAN make a difference. We can work to help those who need clean water, food and health care. We CAN be a force for change AND peace. How? We can take the time to read about what is being done for others in our Rotarian magazine and look for ways to join the fight for peace. We can help fight Polio through donations. We can fight for clean water and better living conditions through the use of our District and Global Grants AND we can donate whenever and whatever we are able to the Rotary Foundation to help other Rotarians join our fight.
So as we are sitting at our tables with our Thanksgiving meal spread before us, let's take a minute to be truly thankful that we have the advantages we do and let's take another minute to really think about how we can help those that don't.
I wish all of you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving and, whatever Holiday you celebrate, I wish you joy and PEACE.
Rotary eClub of Northeast USA: Still looking for charter members. We need 25 members to go live - Visit us at http://www.rotaryeclubneusa.org for more information. Our goal is to help keep thousands of Rotarians stay involved, informed, inspired and connected.
The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
District 7190 representing the Capital Region of New York has been partnered with District 4430 of Brazil.
Tentative Travel dates are as follows: - U.S. team - D. 7190: BR to output : 26/april/2013 return to U.S.: 27/may/2013 (teams will be together in Brazil between the 27-april /7-may) - Team BR -D. 4430: U.S. output to: return to 8/may/2013 return to BR: 7/june/2013 (teams will be together in the U.S. between the 28-may/6june).
June is fellowship month: Fellowship: : companionship, company, community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience, the state of being a fellow or associate, a company of equals or friends : association, the quality or state of being comradely
Community: a unified body of individuals: as: state, commonwealth, the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself <the problems of a large community, an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
We, as Rotarians are then a Fellowship Community - we share common interests and are in the company of friends where ever we go....
Welcome Rotarians to the new Rotary year where we will celebrate the theme: Engage Rotary/Change Lives. Our new RI President, Ron D. Burton, has asked us to put Rotary to work, offer the hand of membership to the people we know, and change lives through our service projects. We will find when we do this, the life we change the most is our own. We look at the world from a different angle and we start to understand the possibilities that the Rotary world can offer. I hope all of you will join me this year in looking for ways to invite new faces in to our clubs and new clubs in to our District.
Governor's Visits are Underway, Foundation Questions Abound
This past month many of you have welcomed me into your clubs. I have had a chance to meet some of you and look forward to meeting the rest of the District over the next two months. With the Official Visits underway, I have found that so many of you have questions regarding how the new Rotary Foundation model "Future Visions" is working. I am proud to report that we have experienced a record number of grant requests and in amounts that exceed our total of funds available. I hear, every day, of service projects that you are doing and changing lives both in our local and global communities. Keep up the great work. We will be looking for more grant applications in January that may be the grants you will be doing next year. Training is set for March 1, 2014 for the qualification process that now requires two people from each club get trained for that club to move forward with grants next year. PLAN AHEAD is the message that we are receiving from RI and it makes good business sense to do so. I am looking forward to supporting you as you find more innovative ways to get things done. Best wishes as we move through 2013-14 and thanks again for your continued Rotary Service, YOU TRULY ARE ROTARIANS.
I would like to personally thank those members and friends of District 7190 who took time away from their personal New Year's Day Celebrations to attend or participate in one of the many Bowling parties or the Polio Plunge on Jan 1 this year.
While figures are not completely in, it looks like you really wanted to "Tell The Governor To Jump In The Lake". At last count, between pledges and money collected, we are hoping to top $ 20,000. raised for our "Polio Plunge and Bowl over Polio" event. Watch the February Toolbox for final figures and pictures.
As you know, when that money gets in, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be matching $2 for every $1. making our impact so much more (They will add $40,000 making a $60,000 total when we reach the $20,000 figure).
PDG Anne Cargile and her team did an outstanding job on this one and they deserve our District's gratitude.
It was fun and DGE Dave is planning something for next year so keep tuned and plan now to join us on January 1, 2015
Foundation Celebration featuring Jennifer Jones and District Foundation Awards
Polio survivor Louise Rourke, who swam the length of Lake George to raise funds to eradicate Polio, shares her inspirational story in a new book, Called by the Water. Learn how her life-long experiences shaped her desire to pursue challenges others may have considered impossible. Your donation supports the Rotary Foundation Campaign to Eradicate Polio. 
On May 18,19, and 20, Rotarians representing 31 of the 44 clubs in our Rotary District came to SUNY Oneonta to have fun and be inspired. From a pre-conference FUN Bus tour of Otsego County to a service project to youth exchange talent and much, much, more, we got together to recharge our batteries.
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RYLA is designed to grow leadership skills in students who have untapped leadership potential. Specifically, we are focusing on juniors in high school. Our program is not for the student who is already utilizing strong leadership skills or students who have no desire to develop such skills. 
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DG Zoë's Goals for 2017-18
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